Brett Finley, President & CEO, Metro SA Chamber

Invest: sat down with Brett Finley, president and CEO of the Metro SA Chamber, to discuss the chamber’s rebranding efforts, economic trends, workforce development, and advocacy initiatives in San Antonio.

What are your top priorities for this year, especially in terms of rebranding?

I think our top priority is figuring out how we can continue being a strong community partner in San Antonio under a new name and branding while maintaining our core focus, which is serving our members and providing value across industries.

Our membership ranges from small business owners, like those running a local nail salon, to large Fortune 500 companies and everything in between. We want to ensure that we remain committed to being their voice, whether through advocacy, hosting productive meetings, or offering valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Even in the digital age, we see the importance of business-to-business (B2B) connections, which ultimately lead to business-to-consumer (B2C) relationships. While many organizations are moving entirely online, we aim to strike a balance by maintaining the personal touch of in-person networking and collaboration within the San Antonio business community.

What have been some of the chamber’s biggest milestones and achievements from the past year?

We’ve continued to grow and solidify our presence in the marketplace. We take pride in offering something unique and organic, something that many chambers of commerce, which have become somewhat antiquated, may lack. We strive to provide value to everyone, from young professionals just starting their careers to seasoned industry leaders. Our leadership development programs and other chamber initiatives help individuals grow and succeed within the San Antonio ecosystem.

On the legislative front, we’ve been actively involved in several initiatives. The construction and development of a new minor league baseball stadium downtown is a top priority. Additionally, we’ve advocated for critical infrastructure projects that, while they may not make headlines, are equally impactful. For example, we worked closely with the San Antonio Water System when they updated their drip irrigation policies, ensuring our business members weren’t negatively affected. While it might not have been the most exciting issue, it was essential for protecting our members’ interests. Our role is to stay at the table, advocating for policies that support business growth and prevent unnecessary burdens on our members.

What makes Central Texas, specifically San Antonio, an attractive destination for businesses looking to establish or relocate here?

San Antonio has really established itself as a manufacturing hub. It is the manufacturing capital of Texas, especially with the rise of large-scale advanced manufacturing. Companies like JCB, Toyota, and others have contributed significantly to job creation, with 61,000 new jobs added just last year. The South Side of San Antonio, in particular, is experiencing a surge in economic development. The land there is more affordable, and we’re seeing major investments in technology and healthcare, which is our largest employment sector.

When compared to cities like Houston, Austin, or Dallas, San Antonio stands out due to its affordability. The cost of living is lower, and median household income stretches further here. Whether buying property or simply enjoying a higher quality of life, people find they can do more with less in San Antonio.

Our focus is twofold: attracting new industries while also supporting existing businesses to help them grow and evolve. The city is on the verge of major expansion, and with ongoing economic development projects in the pipeline, the outlook for the future is incredibly promising.

How do you view the economic landscape in San Antonio?

I recently spoke at a housing forecast event and discussed how factors like inflation and interest rates influence San Antonio’s housing market. Millennials, the largest working demographic, typically in their late 20s to early 40s, are reaching life stages where they’re settling down, getting married, and starting families. Their ability to enter the housing market is key to economic stability.

At the same time, San Antonio has done well in maintaining a balanced economy. We are not overly dependent on any one industry. Cybersecurity and technology have been growing rapidly, and we are now the second-largest cybersecurity hub in the United States outside of Washington, D.C.

Our workforce development ecosystem is also a major asset. From middle school to post-secondary education, we have strong partnerships in place to ensure we are preparing a skilled workforce for emerging industries. Our collaboration with Alamo Colleges and other institutions has been key in aligning curriculum with industry demands.

How would you assess the availability and quality of San Antonio’s labor market?

There are many excellent workforce development programs in San Antonio, from university-led initiatives to high-school partnerships. As a chamber, our goal is to be a connector, ensuring these programs align with employer needs.

One challenge we’ve addressed is bridging the gap between employers and the Ready to Work program. Initially, businesses were hesitant about engaging with the program, but it has since made great strides in adapting to industry demands.

By fostering collaboration between businesses, workforce programs, and educational institutions, we can ensure that San Antonio remains a strong, well-prepared labor market. Workforce challenges will persist, but our goal is to continue strengthening these partnerships to address long-term labor needs.

What kind of feedback are you getting from the business community about the chamber’s programming?

When I joined a year ago, one of my first priorities was to assess our members’ needs. What benefits a Fortune 500 company might not align with what a small business owner requires, so we need to provide resources that serve both.

Economic conditions have tightened budgets, and businesses are being more selective about where they allocate resources. This has led to a reevaluation of the value proposition of nonprofits, including chambers of commerce. Organizations are being held to a higher standard, which I believe is a good thing because it strengthens programs and ensures businesses see a return on their investment.

How would you describe the chamber’s efforts to engage with local government and create a favorable business environment?

San Antonio’s political landscape, like many places, is complex. People are highly focused on partisan issues, but our approach is to prioritize policies over politics.

We don’t engage in political campaigns, but we do advocate for business-friendly policies, whether at the city, county, or state level. Advocacy is one of our core pillars, and we aim to be proactive while maintaining strong relationships with policymakers.

Our goal is to collaborate and ensure business interests are represented without resorting to conflict. We don’t want to be seen as a “no” organization that resists progress; we want to be a constructive partner in shaping policies that benefit our members and the city as a whole.

San Antonio has a bright future. Unlike other cities that experience extreme economic highs and lows, we have remained relatively stable, even during the 2008 housing crisis.

We’re also making significant infrastructure investments, like the $2.5 billion expansion of the San Antonio International Airport. As we continue to grow, we have an incredible opportunity to position San Antonio as a global economic hub. The future is incredibly promising.